Title: Rezaeian Joins Esteghlal Amid Transfer Drama: Fans and Management in Tense Standoff
Fan Pressure Forces Club to Rethink Transfers
The intensity of fan protests reached such a level that even Esteghlal’s Portuguese head coach, Ricardo Sá Pinto, was compelled to react. In blunt remarks, he clarified that he had never sent final confirmation for the signing of Al-Kathir to the club. His statements, combined with mounting fan pressure, pushed Esteghlal’s management to reconsider the transfer process.
Uncertainty Looms Over Al-Kathir’s Future
Reports later emerged suggesting that Esteghlal was seeking to terminate the agreement with Al-Kathir, but as of now, no official statement has been released by the club. This uncertainty has left both fans and the player himself in limbo.
Since Al-Kathir has not engaged in negotiations with any other club, it appears he is awaiting a final decision from Esteghlal. Meanwhile, rumors suggest that Sá Pinto has advised the club’s management to delay terminating Al-Kathir’s contract, as the status of other potential attacking signings remains unresolved.
Esteghlal’s Search for Reinforcements
Currently, Esteghlal only has Mohammad Reza Azadi as a specialized striker. To bolster their attack, the club has held serious negotiations with Saeid Saharkhizan, the young forward of Russian club Orenburg. Esteghlal is reportedly willing to pay a significant fee for Saharkhizan’s release, and if all goes as planned, he could soon arrive in Iran to finalize his contract.
Additionally, Duckens Nazon, the Haitian striker from Turkish club Kayserispor, is also on Esteghlal’s transfer list. Talks with Nazon have progressed considerably, with preliminary agreements in place. However, finalizing his move remains a challenge, requiring further efforts from the club’s management.
Potential Logjam in Attack
If Esteghlal successfully signs both Saharkhizan and Nazon, they would have four specialized forwards—including Azadi and Al-Kathir—competing for a single central striker role in Sá Pinto’s preferred system. This could drastically reduce playing time for some, prompting the club to consider offloading at least one attacker.
Al-Kathir remains the most likely candidate for an exit, but his situation remains unresolved. Despite reports on Friday suggesting an agreement to terminate his contract, no official confirmation has been issued, leaving everything in a state of suspension.
Challenges Ahead for Esteghlal
With mounting fan pressure and the unresolved status of key signings, the Al-Kathir saga continues to drag on. This uncertainty comes at a critical time, as Esteghlal must soon shift focus to official competitions, where unclear squad planning could pose challenges for the technical staff.
The coming days will be crucial in determining how the club navigates these complexities while keeping fans and ambitions aligned.
